Pakistan, Malaysia seek bigger rice trade and halal food market access

September 28, 2026 (MLN): Pakistan and Malaysia have agreed to strengthen cooperation on rice exports, halal certification and agricultural supply chains as Islamabad seeks greater access to the Malaysian food market.

The understanding was reached during a series of high-level meetings in Kuala Lumpur involving Pakistan’s Federal Secretary for National Food Security and Research Amer Ali Ahmed, Federal Secretary for Commerce Jawad Paul and Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Malaysia Syed Ahsan Raza Shah, according to a government press release.

A key meeting was held with Group CEO of BERNAS Dato’ Dr. Sirajuddin bin Suhaimee and his management team to discuss expanding Pakistani rice exports to Malaysia.

The Pakistani side included representatives of the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP), Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), Department of Plant Protection and officials of the Pakistan High Commission.

The discussions focused on increasing Pakistani rice exports while ensuring compliance with BERNAS quality standards and requirements.

The engagement also reaffirmed Pakistan’s participation in the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS), with both sides seeking to expand bilateral trade, strengthen business linkages and contribute to regional food security.

Halal certification cooperation

During a separate high-level meeting with Dato’ Dr. Sirajuddin bin Suhaimee, Director General of Malaysia’s Department of Islamic Development (JAKIM), the Pakistani delegation discussed greater cooperation in halal certification standards and supply chains.

The two sides discussed facilitating market access and trade in halal-certified agricultural and food products.

They also reviewed progress under the memorandum of understanding between JAKIM and the Pakistan Halal Authority (PHA), signed in October.

The discussions focused on translating the MoU into stronger institutional and technical cooperation through expertise sharing, improved certification mechanisms and greater facilitation of halal trade.

The cooperation is expected to cover a broad range of agricultural and food products where halal certification is an important market-access requirement.

Broader agri-food cooperation

Pakistan and Malaysia also discussed cooperation in the wider halal agri-food sector during a meeting with Datuk Seri Isham bin Ishak, Secretary General of Malaysia’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.

The agenda covered rice, meat, poultry, fisheries and aquaculture technologies, animal vaccines, biosecurity controls and halal gelatin supply.

Both sides emphasized stronger institutional linkages and opportunities for agricultural trade, technical cooperation and knowledge exchange.

They agreed to establish a formal mechanism for continued engagement, beginning with a joint virtual meeting in November 2026.

The latest discussions come as Pakistan seeks to expand agricultural exports and diversify market access, while Malaysia remains an important market for food products and a regional hub for halal trade.

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